THE GALLERY
North East
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Go-North East vehicles |
 
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Back in 1986 a consortium of independent bus companies in and around Milton Keynes joined forces to oust incumbent operator, United Counties, from serving the new city. All MK services were subsidised by Bucks County Council to the tune of several million pounds annually. Though the County's then Transport Co-ordinator, Roger Slevin, was opposed to the consortium's plans the group's unsuccessful tender resulted in savings to the County Council of around 75% of their then subsidy. The embarrassed Transport Co-ordinator had to invent ways of spending his budget in the aftermath of the tenders. One futile service was a regular shuttle bus between the Bus Station and the Shopping Centre, which did not survive more than about 6 months. Key player in the consortium, Armstrongs Coaches of Bletchley, was given the sop of one route, the 410, on which ex Northern Leyland National 42L (MCN842L), formerly a dual door vehicle, is seen. |
 Felow Red Line National MCN847L (Northern 47L) is seen outside the Red Line premises in Bletchley. |
Northern's early Nationals got spread far and wide. Former dual door 73L (NCN973L) is seen in service with Midland Red in Hereford when the town was a trial deregulation centre and 73L became Midland Red West 173 defending BMMO territory from the onslaught of independents. |
In the fullness of time the Council's grip on MK services was released and the network is now safe in the hands of Julian Peddle. Wright Handybus bodies arrived in MK in 2001 with the acquisition of ex Go-Ahead Dennis Darts. This advert bus is seen in Bletchley Bus Station. |
 A similar vehicle joined the Lutonian fleet in 2003 and is one of the first buses in their new livery. |
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North East
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Go-North East vehicles |
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